Jamaal is to the rest of the Mountain West what Phillip Rivers was to the rest of the AFC West back in his heyday…a fiery competitor who let his emotions show during the game, but a total class act and respected teammate off the field.

-James

I’m with you, James. Except I suspect Franklin’s language might be a little rougher that Rivers’. And Philip, to my knowledge, has never flipped the bird toward opposing fans. Even so – I think Jamaal is a good guy who is misunderstood.

Get rid of Grandal and Cabrera? Are you nuts?! This is America, Matt. Nobody cares if you cheat. We only care if you get caught. Even then, tearfully apologize and we’re good.

-Lou

Lou went on to reference the Yankees’ World Series count and how most of the recent champions were replete with cheaters. I’m not buying that logic, even if winning is your only concern. I’m a believer in clubhouse/locker-room culture playing a role in on-field success. It’s part of the reason the San Antonio Spurs – the archetype of a successful small-market sports organization – traded up for Kawhi Leonard a couple years back. They knew he was a good locker-room guy. And his impact has been monumental. I think if the Padres’ front office put a premium on character, it would lead to more W’s.

What a ridiculously written article. Since a player caught gets humiliated and gets punished, you say boot ‘em off the team…wrong.

-Gary

Humiliation in this case should not elicit sympathy. A player caught cheating is making a conscious choice, not striking out with the bases loaded. And you could make a strong argument that the penalties aren’t strong enough as they are. Former Giant Melky Cabrera got a 50-game suspension, and then a big payday. Hardly your textbook deterrent.